“I think 20 races is a big number but a sensible number,” affirmed
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner. “It's a huge logistical challenge, but the way the teams are working with each other to self-regulate testing, it is possible. For us, the Middle East region is key to our development plan, and it is very important that it has a strong presence on the calendar.”
“Twenty is about the right number,” agreed
Honda CEO Nick Fry. “The balance of traditional circuits in Europe and circuits in new continents is vital. Formula 1 needs to go where the commercial market is, and that market is moving from Europe and North America to the Middle East and Asia.”
“We should have 20 races but not more,” added
Force India MD Colin Kolles. “The future is definitely the Middle East region. There is a lot of investment coming out of this region, and that is what is needed in
Formula 1.”
Earlier in the week, Prodrive chairman and former Benetton and BAR-Honda boss David Richards underlined his conviction in the importance of the Middle East to
F1's future [see separate story –
click here].
